Media

Melbourne Labor Gov Neglect of CFA Volunteers

4 June 2015

State Member for Murray Plains and Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh has expressed his strong support to volunteer fire fighters to ensure they remain on the board of the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

This follows the United Firefighter’s Union (UFU) submission to a parliamentary inquiry recommending the removal of volunteer fire-fighters from the CFA board.

The union wants two volunteer firefighter positions on the CFA’s board replaced with two UFU members appointed by the minister and the fifth member appointed from a panel of names nominated by the Emergency Services Commissioner.

Mr Walsh said the CFA board is responsible for one of the world’s largest volunteer organisations, with volunteers making up 97% of the CFA.

“The CFA volunteers play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and members of the emergency services are leaders in our communities.

“They deserve a voice and much more respect from the Andrews Melbourne Labor Government.,” he said.

At the 2014 State Election members of the union turned out in droves to give visible and strong support to the Labor Party at booths across metropolitan Melbourne.

I call on the Melbourne Labor Government to immediately guarantee volunteer positions will remain on the CFA board to ensure the volunteers voices are heard.

“If that guarantee is not forthcoming it provides yet another example of Daniel Andrews neglecting the views of country people and putting his union mates first, “ Mr Walsh said.